Was It Worth It?

Chapter 5
by Miss Binks & Richess

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Buffy was walking through the cemetery, her hands swinging at her sides, each clasped in a cool grip. As she made her way through the tombstones, she looked to her left. Angel was walking beside her, his head down and his trench coat flapping around his legs. She called his name, but he ignored her and continued looking at the ground , watching his feet as they walked. She looked to her right and saw Spike, and as she saw him, he turned and smiled at her.

"Hello, cutie ."

Buffy looked from him to their hands entwined together. She was sure that she shouldn't be holding his hand, she probably should be fighting him, but as she looked at him, smiling at her, she discovered that she was not afraid . For some strange reason, she knew that she was safe with him.

She looked to Angel and once again tried to get his attention. He glanced at her, giving her a faint pained smile. As she looked at him, the familiar love rising inside her, his smile turned into a smirk. She watched, horrified, as his once clean face became covered in blood and gore. She gasped and tried to remove her hand from his grasp, but he held her too tightly. She looked over at Spike who just grinned at her and then she noticed that the sun was beginning to rise. Faint streaks of light hit the lawn and tombstones as the sun rose and shone over the wall of the cemetery.

As she watched, the line of lights slowly moved towards her. She was afraid, fearing that the light would hit the two vampires on either side of her and they would burst into flame. She tried to step backwards, but the two men held her hands tight, keeping her there. She saw the line of light inching closer, and began to panic.

As the line reached their shoes, she again tried to flee, but she was unable to move. She tried to command her feet to move, but she felt locked in place, like she was stuck in cement. She felt searing pain consume her feet as her shoes begin to smoulder catch her on fire. She looked at Angel and Spike's feet, but they were fine. The sun inched farther, now her legs were on fire. She looked at the two vampires, pleading with them to help her. Neither one looked at her, they just stared at the glowing orb that threatened to immolate her. Her pants were now completely aflame and she began to scream. As her shirt and hair burst into flame she heard Spike's voice, but when she looked to him, he wasn't speaking.

She heard the voice again, "Buffy, wake up, pet. It was just a dream. Wake up."

She continued screaming as her face began to melt, and as she took a deep breath, she felt the flames sear her lungs. She screamed, "Angel" and then opened her eyes.

She saw a dark room lit only by a small candle. She felt something cold in her hand and looked down and saw a hand clasping hers. She looked up at the owner of the hand and screamed when she saw Spike smiling at her. He looked startled at her scream and then pulled her into his arms, desperately trying to calm her. She struggled against his arms then realised that she was no longer on fire. The sun was nowhere to be seen; she began to relax. Spike tightened his arms around her and murmured, "It's alright now, luv. No more nasty nightmares."

She looked up at him, her breathing evening out, and placed her hands on his chest. Buffy smiled and whispered into his ear, "Get your fucking hands off me ." Pushing him as hard as she could, she sent him flying against the opposite wall hard enough to crack the plaster.

"What the fuck, Slayer! I was just trying to help you." Spike picked himself up and wiped the dust off his leather duster. He watched her as she stood and pulled herself into a defensive posture. "So, I guess that this is the point in which we fight, right pet? Fine with me." Spike put his hands up and moved around Buffy, looking for an opportunity to strike. She moved towards him, her right hand poised to hit, when suddenly she collapsed, her small frame racked with shudders.

"Oh, God," Buffy gasped, moaning as waves of pain coursed through her body. "Spike, what have you done? What is wrong with me?"

"Aww, shit. I almost forgot for a second there." Spike moved towards her, lifting her up and placing her back on the bed. Buffy lay there, her face wet with tears, her body convulsing with each unneeded breath. Spike walked to the small bathroom off the room and returned with a damp rag.

"Just for the record, I had nothing to do with this. This was all Angel's doing. I just rescued you before…" Spike knelt down beside her and proceeded to wipe the cool rag over her forehead. "Do you remember anything that happened before you woke up here?"

Buffy shook her head, her teeth clenched in pain.

"This is not going to be good news, luv." Spike paused, trying to find the right words. "Here it is, plain and straightforward. Angel fed from you and he turned you, from what I overheard. You're a vampire now. This pain that you are feeling is because you have been asleep for about twelve hours and your body needs to feed. Right now, you are like an addict that needs a fix."

Buffy looked at Spike, every part of her being hoping to see that smirk on his face, hoping that he was joking. Spike looked at her evenly, a sad smile twisting his full lips. "Welcome to the club. Nothing is ever going to be the same in this shitty little town."

"Noooo." Buffy screamed. Her shriek pierced the air until she stopped abruptly, lungs empty. Undaunted, she drew a deep breath, renewing her agonised wail. She continued until her voice was hoarse, and then the screams faded, replaced by choking sobs.

Spike remained on the other side of the room, watching her, but never attempting to calm her or go to her side. He thought it was funny, her breathing, but he remembered how long it took him to break that little habit. You can't spend your entire life depending on something to live and then just stop doing it. He understood what she was going through. He knew that she needed to get it out, release the pain and shock at losing her life. Especially since the giant poof probably didn't giver her much of a choice in the matter. So he stood there and watched her as the sobs faded. She just lay there and moaned, her body screaming for blood, her mind screaming for time to reverse and for her life to be given back.

Finally, Buffy sat up, her body weak from her tears and her thirst. She turned to Spike, looking at him for the first time since he had told her what she was. "There is something else wrong with me, isn't there? I can still feel, remorse, pity. I still have a soul."

"Well, that's the problem. See, it goes against the laws of nature for a Slayer to be turned. Peaches should have known better. Hell, he was the one that told me that." Spike tried to ignore the pain on her face as he mentioned her sire, well, their sire. "Your change into a vampire is going to be harder than normal. It will be more painful and it'll takes a bit longer for the soul to leave your body. Feeding will help speed up things. But even if you refuse to feed now, your soul will still leave eventually. It'll just take longer."

Buffy shot Spike a look of anger and pain. "So I just lie here and wait to die completely." Buffy clenched her teeth as a tremor passed through her. "Fuck, I am so going to kill Angel."

Spike laughed, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. "Now you are starting to talk like a vamp." He stood there chuckling as Buffy moaned, and then he remembered the scene on the Summer's lawn. "Just one problem with your murderous plans, luv. Nancyboy is already dead. The other Slayer, girl with dark hair, staked him. So, I figure if you have any tears you need to cry for him, now's the time. You know, before your soul leaves and you don't give a damn."

"Faith…" Buffy's voice shook with anger. For the first time since she had awoken, her eyes shifted to yellow as the demon visage came forth. "Faith killed Angel."

Spike smiled as he saw how angry she was getting. Rage was a good emotion, one that will aid her in the transformation. He decided that the best way to help out the Slayer, well ex-Slayer, was to get her good and riled up. Plus, he always loved pissing off Buffy.

"Yeah, that saucy little git staked him right on your lawn. Made some crack about you always being too weak to kill him. I got to tell you, that girl has got some moves that I think you could never learn. Be honest with me Buffy, she is the better Slayer, isn't she. Not to mention she's hotter too. Wouldn't mind a few rounds with that one."

Enraged, Buffy sprang up, glaring at him. Her knees were shaking, and she looked like she was about to pass out, but the rage that he had inspired gave her strength. Before Spike had the chance to move, she had him pinned against the wall, her hands gripping his throat tightly.

"Shut the fuck up, Spike, before I lose my patience and stake you." Her voice quivered with anger.

"Now you got it." He looked down at her, her face twisted into the vampire's mask and laughed. She tightened her hand around his throat and banged his head back against the wall. "Remember, Buffy. We are on the same side now. You stake me and you will be just killing one of your own. Vamps tend to look down at that sort of thing."

He looked at her and realised how strong she was. Must be that Slayer strength. He could see that she was starting to weaken. He grasped her arms and pulled her away, holding her at an arm's length. Spike was about to speak again when he saw her eyes roll back, her human face return, and her knees buckle. As she fell, he swept an arm under her, lifted her small frame and returned her to the bed. She looked up at him, her eyes enormous and full of pain.

"Spike, I am so hungry. I need something to eat." Buffy couldn't even believe exactly what she was saying, she was begging for blood.

He looked down at her and brushed the matted hair away from her face. "I know. I've got something for you. Hold on for a second, I'll be right back." Spike stepped out of the room and returned a few moments later, carrying a body thrown over his shoulder. He threw the young boy on the bed next to Buffy. She looked at him, her eyes shifting to yellow as her demon again took control. She rolled over and pulled the child into her arms. She looked at the boy, his eyes welling with tears and his small body shaking with fear. He tried to scream around the gag in his mouth but all that came out is a muffled keening noise. She returned her eyes to Spike's face.

"I kill him and the pain stops, right?"

"Right, luv. Just imagine that you're feeding on the Slayer. That image always works great for me."

Buffy caught his meaning and growled at him. She looked down at the boy and expected to find herself unable to feed on this helpless child. She expected to feel guilty. Looking down at his small innocent face, all Buffy felt was hunger and desire to feel his blood wash over her tongue and down her throat. She shook her head, trying to force the bloody images from her brain, but all she could do is stare at this helpless boy and feel…hunger, need. She leaned down and licked the boy's neck, feeling the pulsing jugular beneath her lips. She realised that she could hear his tiny heart beating and the sound nearly made her crazy with lust. She placed her mouth over the boy's tender flash and experimentally bit him. The sharp fangs easily into the boy neck just far enough to draw forth a few drops of blood. As the crimson fluid hit her tongue, Buffy shuddered with desire and bit as hard as she could, tearing out a large chunk of the boy's flesh. The blood rushed into her mouth, almost choking her as she gulped greedily. She sucked hard on the open wound, struggling to get each tiny drop. Too soon the boy was drained and Buffy moaned, still hungry. She pulled her head away from the corpse's neck and looked at Spike, licking her lips lasciviously.

"That was good. I never imagined it could be like that." She laughed feeling euphoric, sensations running through her body.

Spike smiled and moved to sit next to her on the bed. He looked down at the boy and slid one finger along the wound, picking up the last of the child's blood. He stuck his finger in his mouth and licked off the blood. Buffy watched as his lips surrounded his finger and felt yet another unusual sensation.

Just watching him savor that finger made heat course through her body and coalesce between her legs. Spike noticed her attention and returned the finger to the boy's neck, this time offering the blood to Buffy. She grasped his wrist firmly and then placed her lips around his extended digit, licking the blood and then drawing the finger into her mouth to the third knuckle. Spike shuddered as he saw her red full lips surround his finger and imagined what other body parts she could pull into that succulent mouth.

"There is nothing in the mortal world that can compare with feeding. Well, almost nothing." Spike took his other hand and placed it on her leg, feeling the taunt muscles twitching under the tight pants. Buffy smiled and stood slowly, liking how she was affecting him. She walked away from him, making sure that he had a good look at her swaying hips, and then turned and stretched, her arms lifting high above her head. Her shirt rose up, exposing a large sliver of pale flesh. She giggled as Spike swallowed heavily and his pants tented with his arousal.

"I feel good, wonderful." Buffy stood and ran her hands slowly over her body, noting how her movements drew Spike's attention. "I don't feel it anymore, my soul I mean." Buffy stood and walked the length of the room, testing her muscles. "I feel stronger than I was too."

"Right, the way I figure it, you have the strength of the Slayer as well as the strength of a vampire."

She returned to the bed and stood there, looking down at Spike. "Does this mean that I am still stronger than you?"

"Sure, pet. But since when is that news?"

"So, Spike. Tell me, shouldn't I stake you right here, right now? Why in the world would I keep you around to annoy me?"

Spike pulled her down to the bed, rolling her over so that he was lying on top of her. He brought his mouth down and licked her throat. She struggled half-heartedly against him but was unable to resist the heat that was beginning to build between her legs.

"Eternity is a long time to spend all by yourself. It's nice to have someone to pass the time with." Spike kissed her, pulling her tongue into his mouth, suckling on it. She returned his kiss, marvelling at how different it was kissing Spike rather than Angel. She wondered what the difference was. Right, my mouth is a cold as his, now. She chuckled at the thought, and then pulled her mouth back and rolled him over so that she was straddling him. She pinned him down and as he tried to regain control, she pushed him back and laughed.

"Get this, Spike. Do what I say and everything will be just fine. Piss me off, and your going to have a very dusty ending. Got it?" She leaned down and kissed him, her hands running over his hard muscular chest. She could feel him hard against her, and she moved her hips against him, smiling as he groaned. He must be just about ready to pop by now. She wanted to continue this little game that they were playing but she pulled back, knowing that she had to be sure that he was going to be loyal to her before she could give up the prize."Be good, Spike, and we will get along just fine."

He growled at her and tried to recapture her mouth, but she moved off him and walked into the bathroom, running the water and washing the lingering traces of the boy's blood off her face. When Spike realized that there was going to be no nudity in the immediate future, he jumped off the bed and began to pace, trying to work off excess energy as he waited for her to finish grooming.

"Are you about done there, pet? I have a present for you."

"Ohh, a present." Buffy jumped out of the bathroom and walked to him, a greedy smile on her face.

"Yeah, I got the little red headed witch tied up downstairs."

Buffy twisted her head around and looked at him, surprise etching her face. She realized now that he mentioned her friend; she could sense another human in the house. She could smell Willow's blood and she realized that the boy was too small to feed her. She was still hungry. She imagined her friend's face: that fair pink skin and her soft red hair. Just picturing Willow's face made her mouth flood with desire. A tiny part of Buffy's mind shuddered at her happiness over imagining her friend's death, but the other part - the stronger part - wanted to see her best friend bleed.

She turned and smiled at Spike. "Let me see her."

Buffy walked down the stairs and turned into the living room. Spike held back and let her lead. He wanted her to take control of this situation. The death of her best friend was the perfect way for her to cement her change, and Spike was more than a little curious at what Buffy would choose to do to Willow. The red head was chained against the fireplace. Her eyes were closed and her head lay against her shoulder. Spike watched the girl sleep, her fiery hair falling gently along her face. He sat down on the couch and lit a cigarette. Buffy moved towards her friend.

"She's sleeping."

"Yes, very peacefully. Are we going to wake her, pet?"

Buffy looked at Spike and considered what she wanted to do with her friend. "Not just yet. I still am not sure what I'm gonna do." Buffy turned back to her friend, watching her sleep. That tiny part of her, the part she supposed belonged to the Slayer screamed for her to save the girl, to kill Spike and flee this house. Buffy easily ignored that small whisper and found that it fell silent. She smiled and listened to her demon as it told her what she wanted to do.

"I bet she tastes yummy." Buffy licked her lips in anticipation. "She can't live. She is far too powerful. She is the only one that is able to do the spell that will return my soul, and I know my friends. That is exactly what they are planning. We have to kill her, Spike."

"Yes, we do, luv, but can I make a suggestion. We could use that kind of power on our side, perhaps we should get her to join us."

"But she would never…oh, you mean we should turn her." Buffy considered this as she looked at her friend. She brushed the lock of hair out of her face, taking care not to wake her. "Willow the vampire. I don't know. She is not exactly the most interesting person that I have ever known. Won't she be kinda boring as a vampire? I can see her, still making sure that she finishes high school and does all her homework on time."

Spike laughed. "I'm not so sure about that. Becoming a vampire tends to make certain people lose their inhibitions. Some of the most boring and shy people tend to make the most interesting vampires." Spike paused, remembering the person that he had been before he was turned. Buffy gave him a questioning look, which he pointedly chose to ignore. "You would be surprised. I can see that side of Willow, always have." He looked at the witch appraisingly, noting the blazing red hair that often represented a similar personality.

"You have thought of this before, haven't you?"

"Well, yeah. When I kidnapped her and bloody idiot you two trot around with, I thought that she would make a great companion." He gave Buffy one of his trademark smirks and raised that single beguiling eyebrow. "Just think of all the fun that we could have, just the three of us."

Buffy laughed, "Spike, you are not that lucky. But still, maybe it would be nice to have her with us, if she has the potential that you say." Buffy brought her hand up and caressed Willow's cheek. She hadn't really noticed before how beautiful she was, with that fine china doll skin and features. Plus, she had that great little body. Buffy had always yearned to dress Willow in clothes that would flatter her curves rather than hide them, and now it seemed as though she would have a chance to see the Willow that she always imagined her friend could be.

"So it is decided then?"

"Yup. So shall I do it or you?"

"Well, I hate to disappoint you, but as a fledgling, you probably don't have the strength to turn someone. You look as though you haven't fed enough as it is. I think that I will have to be the one that gets the pleasure."

Buffy scowled at Spike as his blue eyes dance at the possibility. "You don't have to seems so excited, Spike."

"Calm down, Buffy. There is no need for jealousy. We can be a nice happy family, and I bet that you can find some uses for the girl yourself."

Buffy raised her eyebrows at Spike's suggestion. She had never really thought of her friend in that way, but now, thinking about it, she found herself warming, literally, to the idea. "One big happy family." She mused to herself. She again caressed her friend's cheek. At Buffy's touch, Willow began to stir, her forehead wrinkling as she fought to regain consciousness. Buffy shot a look at Spike warning him to remain quiet and moved so that she would block the sight of Spike from Willow with her body.

"Willow, are you awake?"

Willow shook her head and then winced as the pain doubled in her head. "Buffy?"

"It's me, Will."

"Buffy, there is something wrong. Spike is back, and he…"

"I know, Will. Don't worry. You're safe now. I'm here."

Willow opened her eyes and blurrily tried to focus on Buffy's face. "My head hurts. It feels big again."

Buffy looked at the small trickle of dried blood the trailed the redhead's hairline.

Willow looked at her arms and weakly tried to move her restrained hands. "Buffy, why am I tied up? What is going on?"

"Shush, Will, it is going to be ok. I am looking for the key to unlock your chains, but first I need you to answer a few questions."

Willow looked confused. "But Buffy…"

"Willow, that spell that you did for Angel last year. Do you still know how to do it?"

Willow confusion grew and Buffy's question added a large amount of fear to her expression. "Buffy, what…I suppose. I don't have the ingredients."

"How long would it take you to get a hold of them?"

Willow looked at her friend, "What is wrong, has Angel lost his soul? Is that why he hurt you? Do you need me to re-curse him? I can get the ingredients in about a day."

"Damn, see, that is going to be a problem, Will." Buffy let her game face come to the surface and Willow gasped in shock. Buffy grabbed a hunk of Willow's red hair and pulled her head back sharply, chuckling as her friend hissed in pain.

"You see, Willow, I am not the same old Buffy anymore." Buffy leaned down and licked the witch's throat, sliding her tongue along the tender jugular. Willow squirmed and tried to pull her head away, but the hand holding her hair tightened painfully. "Keep still, you little bitch. The thing is... if I let you live, then you probably have the power to screw up all the plans that I have for this little shitty town."

"No, Buffy, no." At the sight of Buffy's vampire face, the last of Willow's emotional walls came down and she began to cry. She wasn't sure what was the most upsetting: the sight of Buffy as a vampire, the pain that her friend was inflicting, or the fact that it seemed like Buffy was planning to kill her.

"So here it is, Will, your one chance to live. Beg me for your life. Assure me that you won't try any magic stuff, and I will let you go."

Willow's mind raced, trying to find the best way to get out of this situation alive. She looked at Buffy's face, the naked hunger shining in her golden eyes , and she knew that Buffy was not going to let her go. Willow was always good at reading her best friend's emotions, and she knew that the decision had already been made. So she had a choice, she could go out crying and whimpering, which she already had a head start on, or she could be brave and strong and go to her death with dignity.

"No, Buffy." Willow blinked back her tears and put on her best Willow resolve face. "I won't do that. Kill me if you have to, but I will not play this sick little game with you."

Willow heard a little snort of amused laughter, and Buffy turned, revealing a smiling Spike sitting on the couch. With all her fear, Willow had forgotten about Spike.

"So, Spike, looks as though you were right. She has more spirit than I thought. It's kinda nice. But I don't like it when people don't do what I tell them." Buffy turned back to Willow and slapped her hard across the face. The pure strength of the blow sent Willow's face ricocheting against the fireplace mantle. The twin bolts of pain that exploded on each side of her head almost threatened to knock Willow out, but she struggled to remain awake, Willow refusing to pass out and make this easier on Buffy.

"Do it, Buffy. Kill me, but I will not let you break me."

"Dear, Willow. It is best not to taunt me like that. You know that I can never back down from a challenge." Buffy ripped open her friend's shirt revealing a conservative white cotton bra. "Spike, have we got any knives around here, perhaps a red hot poker or two."

Spike stood and placed a hand on Buffy's shoulder. Buffy looked at the hand and growled, but Spike ignored her and cast an admiring glance as the witch. "Now, now, Slayer. Let's not get carried away, right. Best to not damage the merchandise."

"But Spike, she made me angry and she won't do what I tell her."

"Yes, luv, but not every situation can be solved with violence. You never did learn that while you were alive. Now is your chance. Sit down and let me begin the lesson." Buffy shot the vampire a look of pure hatred, but when Spike refused to back down, she returned to the couch and sat. Her human face returned, which she promptly twisted into a pout. Spike chuckled and then turned his attention to the redhead.

Spike took the witch's head in his hands and lifted her face so that she could see him. He could feel the fear rising off her in waves. His demon grew excited at that smell and the sound of her heart fluttering quickly. His face shifted and Willow saw his eyes shift from their piercing blue to gold. She swallowed her fear, and looked Spike in the face, refusing to let him see her cower. He maintained eye contact with her and spoke to Buffy.

"Now, see, this doesn't have to be a contest of wills. You two can just agree to disagree. Normally I am always up for a spot of torture, but we just don't have the time for that now. Plus, if you torture someone that you are intending to turn, then things get messy and there is a recovery period and I just don't have the patience for that right now. You will have the rest of eternity to punish the girl for misbehaving, but right now, I just want to get this done."

Willow had been listening to Spike's little speech, and when she heard that they were planning to turn her, not kill her, she started shaking her head, trying to pull away from Spike's grasp.

"No," Willow's voice came out in little gasps. "Don't, you can't…I don't want to be a vampire…"

Buffy spoke from the couch a smile on her face, "Sorry, Will, you don't get that choice. See, I would have just used you for food, but Spike here thinks that we could use your power on our side. So, we turn you. Easy solution."

"You heard the boss, luv. Now, don't worry, this doesn't have to be a bad experience. We can make it fun for the whole group." He motioned to Buffy who came to his side. Spike looked along the tattered remains of Willow's shirt and drew his hand along the girl's bare shoulder and neck. He looked at her, his game face sliding away as his eyes travelling up and down her body. Desire painted his features, adding to the look of hunger that he already had.

"Cor, pet, but you are lovely." He leaned down and whispered in her ear, just low enough for her to hear, but not Buffy. "I have been dreaming of this for a long time." Willow blushed and tried to move away from him, but once again, her chains restrained her, and she was unable to move away from the hardness of his body that was now pressed against her.

Spike gripped Buffy and drew her to him, kissing her deeply. Willow watched as the vampires embraced, and Spike reached out for her, his hand travelling down the witch's body, landing on one hip. The hand didn't remain still, but slid to the small of her back, so that pressing Willow hard against Spike and Buffy. Spike kept his fingers moving, his thumb tracing little circles on her hot skin. Willow shuddered under his touch, only due in part to fear. Spike removed his hand and turned to Buffy.

Willow was afraid, terrified by the vampires' plan for her. Yet under her fear was a shameful and reluctant excitement. As Buffy and Spike embraced, the aura of sex hung heavily in the air. Willow realized that she had never been in a situation like this. Her careful fumblings with Xander and Oz never neared this intensity and heat. She actually found herself wondering what they were going to do to her, and if she would enjoy it.

Finally, Buffy and Spike broke apart. Spike turned his head to Willow and smiled. "Don't worry, luv, I don't intend to hurt you." He looked back at Buffy, "I think that it would be possible for us to do this together. Are you hungry?" Buffy nodded.

Spike pulled Buffy onto a tight embrace. Spike's hands slid into Buffy's shirt and Buffy arched into him, her mouth moving to nibble on his ear as Spike suckled on her shoulder. Willow blushed watching the two of them devour each other, but embarrassed as she felt, she was unable to look away. The intensity of their kiss grew as Buffy and Spike's hands explored each other, sliding along each other's clothed skin. As their passion grew, first Spike, then Buffy's face melded into the demon's. They broke apart and looked at Willow, their sexual energy merging with their hunger.

Spike moved so that his body was pressed into Willow's right side and placed Buffy so that she was on the left. He brought his hand up to caress Willow's face and he leaned across her to give Buffy another kiss. Pulling his lips away from Buffy's, and he leaned down, placing his mouth on Willow's neck, lightly caressing the pulsing vein.

The ex-slayer copied him, tracing a trail along Willow's fragile skin, along her shoulders to her jaw, before settling on her throat. Spike murmured, "gently," and then his teeth broke the surface of the skin.

As Willow cried out, Spike brought his hand up, threaded it through Buffy's golden hair, and pressed her face into Willow's neck Buffy opened her mouth and bit Willow harshly, her control much weaker than Spike's.

Willow screamed and almost immediately felt herself weaken, the two vampires consuming her, overpowering her. They drank until Spike sensed Willow's heart

Tottering on the point of death. He took his mouth away from Willow's neck, and when Buffy didn't follow, he yanked her head up by her hair. She snarled at him, but when she saw Willow, her eyes closed and her breathing shallow, her demon receded and she looked to Spike for direction.

Spike pulled Buffy to him and kissed her, Willow's blood smearing over their lips. He brought Buffy's mouth to his throat and commanded, "Bite me, but don't drink much." She grinned happily, her demon returning and bit into his neck, taking a tiny sip before she forced her lips away. Spike then drew Willow's mouth to his neck, urging her to drink, but although she was weak, her resolve was still strong and she closed her mouth, refusing to taste the offered blood.

Spike shrugged at her refusal, and slid his tongue along his sharp teeth, cutting. Buffy salivated at the sigh, but quietly watched as he kissed Willow, sliding his tongue into her mouth, giving her the blood she would need to live. As the coppery substance filled her mouth, Willow's body screamed for the rejuvenating fluid. In the face of her blood loss, her mind was not strong enough to refuse, and she swallowed convulsively as the damning liquid trickled down her throat.

Spike returned Willow's mouth to his neck and this time the redhead drank greedily, despite her mind's shuddering at her body's need for blood. Spike let Willow drink from him and then, as he started to weaken, he brought Buffy's wrist to his mouth, tearing the flesh and sucking the russet nectar into his mouth. Buffy shuddered and gave him a wanting look and he motioned for her to return to Willow's neck. Buffy returned to the wound in her friend's neck, completing the circle. The stolen blood moved from Willow to Buffy to Spike and then back again, tying the three together and strengthening both the bonds that would hold them together, and the demon that was now taking over Willow's body.

Continued...